Method for applying an agrochemical to an agricultural area of interest

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to a method for applying an agrochemical to an agricultural area of interest based on information generated from a remote sensing survey. A remote sensing survey is performed within or adjacent to the agricultural area of interest wherein the survey generates remotely sensed data. The remotely sensed data can be analyzed and/or interpreted to determine whether to apply an agrochemical based on an insect presence within or adjacent to the agricultural area of interest.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is based on and claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/183,800, filed on Jun. 24,2015, and which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

It is often desirable to study the activity of various insects, such asbees, for the purposes of crop management. For instance, it is wellknown that bees are capable of pollinating various crops. In fact, manyagricultural products are dependent on bee, specifically honey bee,pollination. In this regard, it may be desirous to maintain a healthybee colony within or adjacent to an agricultural area of interest forsuch purposes. Thus, while it may be necessary at times to apply certainagrochemicals, such as pesticides, fertilizers, and the like, to theseareas, it is important that such applications minimally impact thehealth of these bee colonies. Thus, it may be desirous to study theactivity of these bees in order to determine the ideal locations andtimes for applying such agrochemicals.

One conventional method of studying the activity and/or detecting thepresence of insects, such as bees, within an agricultural area ofinterest is for an observer to physically traverse through the area ofinterest. Upon traversing the area, the observer can assess the activityand health of the insects, if any are in fact present. Based on suchassessment, a determination can then be made as to whether to apply acertain agrochemical to the agricultural area of interest or whether toeven apply an agrochemical at all. However, this method can require asubstantial amount of time and effort, especially in an instance wherethere is a considerable area of interest and/or travel is necessary justto get to the area of interest.

In other situations, one may apply agrochemicals without gathering anyinformation regarding the agricultural area of interest. For instance,the agrochemicals may be applied without having any knowledge of theparticular insects that may be present within the area, much less anyother knowledge about the area of interest. Thus, this method can resultin unnecessary agrochemical applications, which may result inagro-ecological problems.

While the aforementioned methods may be simplistic and easy toimplement, they are inefficient. As a result, there is a need for animproved method of assessing an agricultural area of interest andapplying an agrochemical to such an area of interest.

SUMMARY

In general, the present disclosure is directed to a method for applyingan agrochemical to an agricultural area of interest. The methodcomprises a step of performing a remote sensing survey within oradjacent to an agricultural area of interest wherein the remote sensingsurvey generates remotely sensed data. The method further comprises astep of analyzing the remotely sensed data to determine whether to applyan agrochemical based on an insect presence within or adjacent to theagricultural area of interest. The method further comprises a step ofoptionally applying an agrochemical within or adjacent to theagricultural area of interest.

Other features and aspects of the present disclosure are discussed ingreater detail below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to the embodiments of theinvention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment, can be used on another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncover such modifications and variations.

In general, the present invention is directed to a method for applyingan agrochemical to an agricultural area of interest. In particular, themethod employs a remote sensing survey for surveying and/or studying aspecific object of interest within or adjacent to the agricultural areaof interest. Such surveying can be used to determine whether anagrochemical should be applied at that time or at some time in thefuture.

In general, the method includes performing a remote sensing survey of anagricultural area of interest. Upon conducting the survey, data inconnection to the agricultural area of interest and/or an object ofinterest within or adjacent to the area of interest is generated. Theremotely sensed data can be transmitted. The remotely sensed data canthen be analyzed and/or reviewed. The data can provide informationregarding the area of interest and/or the extent the object of interestis present within and/or adjacent to the area of interest. In thisregard, the present invention is also directed to the production ofinformation and/or data that is correlated to an agricultural area ofinterest and/or an object of interest within or adjacent to the area ofinterest.

Agricultural Area of Interest

As indicated herein, the remote sensing survey is performed within oradjacent to an agricultural area of interest. For instance, this area ofinterest may be an area upon which it is desired to apply anagrochemical. In one particular embodiment, the area of interest may bean agricultural field, such as a field upon which a crop has been and/ormay be planted. When the area of interest is a field, the boundaries ofthe field may be specified in terms of latitude and longitudecoordinates. Alternatively, the area of interest may be specified usingmaps with identifying landmarks and geographical information.

When referring to an agricultural field for crops, the crops are notlimited to any certain crops. The crops include, but are not limited to,corn, cotton, sorghum, soybean, sugarbeet, potato, oat, rye, barley,rice, canola, wheat, and vegetable. Crops may also include geneticallymodified crops or plants. Genetically modified plants (or transgenicplants) are plants of which a heterologous gene has been stablyintegrated into genome. The expression “heterologous gene” essentiallymeans a gene which is provided or assembled outside the plant and whenintroduced in the nuclear, chloroplastic or mitochondrial genome givesthe transformed plant new or improved agronomic or other properties byexpressing a protein or polypeptide of interest or by downregulating orsilencing other gene(s) which are present in the plant (using forexample, antisense technology, cosuppression technology or RNAinterference—RNAi—technology). A heterologous gene that is located inthe genome is also called a transgene. A transgene that is defined byits particular location in the plant genome is called a transformationor transgenic event.

While agricultural fields are mentioned, it should be understood thatthe method disclosed herein may be applied to any agricultural area ofinterest upon which it is desired to apply an agrochemical. Forinstance, these may include areas upon which it is not desired to plantseeds and grow crops.

Object of Interest

As indicated herein, the remote sensing survey can be performed to studyan object of interest. The object of interest can be any object that isdesired to be investigated within or adjacent to the agricultural areaof interest. In this regard, the object of interest may be presentwithin and/or adjacent to an agricultural area of interest.

In one embodiment, the object of interest may be an insect, such as apollinating insect. For instance, in one embodiment, the insect may be abee. In general, bees are insects of the Order Hymenoptera, SuperfamilyApoidea. The bees may be any kinds of bees generally known in the art.

In one embodiment, the bee is a honey bee (Apis). In one embodiment, thebee is a European honey bee (Apis mellifera) or Africanized honey bee.Examples of common bees are bumble bees (Bomzbus), small carpenter bees(Ceratina), large carpenter bees (Xylocopa), paper wasps (Polistes),yellow jackets (Vespula), and baldfaced hornets (Vespula). As usedherein, the term “honey bee” can refer to any member of the OrderHymeoptera, Family Apidae, and includes, without limitation, Apisandreniformis, Apis cerana, Apis dorsata, Apis florae, Apis mellifera,Apis koschevnikovi, Apis laboriosa, Apis nigrocincta, Apis rorea,subspecies thereof, and strains, varieties, and hybrids thereof. In thisregard, the object of interest may be bees, including honey bees andwild bees, such as bumble bees, as well as other types of bees. In oneparticular embodiment, the object of interest is a honey bee.

While certain bees are mentioned individually above, it should beunderstood that the method disclosed herein and the object of interestmay be directed to any of the aforementioned bees, alone or in anycombination.

As indicated above, the present invention refers to insects forsimplicity of discussion, but it is to be understood that the presentdisclosure is not so limited. For instance, the remote sensing surveycan be employed to study other types of insects as the objects ofinterest.

Agrochemicals

As indicated herein, agrochemicals may be any chemicals employed in theagricultural industry for a desired purpose. For instance, theagrochemical may be utilized depending on the desired objectives and thedata generated from the remote sensing survey.

In general, the agrochemicals may include pesticides, fertilizers,insect repellant compounds/compositions, insect attractantcompounds/compositions, etc. Thus, while certain agrochemicals arementioned herein, it should be understood that the present invention isnot limited to such.

In one embodiment, the agrochemical includes a pesticide. In general,pesticides are employed to destroy or inhibit pests. These pesticidesmay include any pesticides generally employed in the art. Thesepesticides can include, but are not limited to, herbicides,insecticides, fungicides, miticides, nematicides, etc. or anycombination thereof.

In one embodiment, the agrochemical may be an herbicide compound orcomposition. It may be desired to employ such herbicides in order toprevent or destroy unwanted vegetation (e.g., weeds). It should beunderstood that any herbicide known in the art may be employed. Theseherbicides may include pre-plant herbicides, pre-emergence herbicides,and/or post-emergence herbicides.

In one embodiment, the agrochemical may be an insecticide. It may bedesired to employ such insecticides in order to destroy or inhibitunwanted insects (e.g., ants). Examples of such insecticides are wellknown by those skilled in the art. It should be understood that anyinsecticide known in the art may be employed.

In one embodiment, the agrochemical may be a fungicide. It may bedesired to employ such fungicides in order to destroy or inhibitunwanted fungi or fungal spores. Examples of such fungicides are wellknown by those skilled in the art. It should be understood that anyfungicide known in the art may be employed.

In one embodiment, the agrochemical may be a miticide compound orcomposition. It may be desired to employ such miticides in order todestroy or inhibit unwanted mites. Examples of such miticides are wellknown by those skilled in the art. It should be understood that anymiticide known in the art may be employed.

In one embodiment, the agrochemical may be a nematicide compound orcomposition. It may be desired to employ such nematicides in order todestroy or inhibit unwanted nematodes (e.g., roundworms). Examples ofsuch nematicides are well known by those skilled in the art. It shouldbe understood that any nematicide known in the art may be employed.

In one embodiment, the agrochemical may be a fertilizer. It may bedesired to employ such fertilizers in order to provide nutrients forplant and/or crop growth. Examples of such fertilizers are well known bythose skilled in the art. For instance, the fertilizers may include, butare not limited to, Urea, Ammonium Nitrate, Ammonium Sulfate, CalciumNitrate, Diammonium Phosphate, Monoammonium phosphate, Triple SuperPhosphate, Potassium Nitrate, Potassium nitrate, nitrate of potash,Potassium Chloride, muriate of potash, di and mono potassium salts ofphosphite/phosphonate. However, it should be understood that anyfertilizer known in the art may be employed.

In one embodiment, the pesticide may exhibit insecticidal and/ornematicidal properties. In another embodiment, the pesticide withinsecticidal and/or nematicidal properties may be a neonicotinoid-basedcompound or composition. For instance, the neonicotinoid-based compoundmay be a clothianidin-based compound or composition. In anotherembodiment, the neonicotinoid-based compound may be animidacloprid-based compound or composition. In one embodiment aspect,the neonicotinoid-based compound or composition, such as theclothianidin-based compound or composition, may be provided togetherwith a bacillus compound or composition. For instance, the bacilluscompound or composition may include a Bacillus firmus compound orcomposition.

The a compound or composition with insecticidal and/or nematicidalproperties, such as the neonicotinoid-based compound or composition, mayinclude one or more of Poncho®/VOTiVO™ (Bayer CropScience), Poncho® Beta(Bayer CropScience), Poncho® 600 (Bayer CropScience), Poncho®1250+VOTiVO™ (Pioneer), Belay® (Valent), Prosper® FX (BayerCropScience), or Prosper® Evergol. In one particular embodiment, thecompound or composition with insecticidal and/or nematicidal propertiescomprises Poncho®/NOTiVO™ (Bayer CropScience). For instance,Poncho®/VOTiVO™ comprises, consists of, or consists essentially ofclothianidin and Bacillus firmus.

According to one embodiment, it may be desirous to repel a specificobject of interest, such as a bee, from an agricultural area ofinterest. In this regard, the agrochemical may be an insect repellantcompound or composition. For instance, the compound or composition mayrepel some, all, or a broad range of insects, such as bees. In anembodiment, an insect repellant compound or composition described hereincan control or alter the behavior of an insect, for example apollinating insect, such as a bee.

For instance, it may be desirous to repel a specific object of interestaway from the agricultural area of interest. For instance, it may bedesirous to repel an object of interest, such as a bee, from an area ofinterest. For instance, when the bees are within an area of interestupon which it is desired to apply an agrochemical, it may be desired toapply the repellant compound or composition to such area so that thebees will move and the agrochemical can be applied to the area ofinterest.

Various compounds and compositions that may be employed according to thepresent disclosure are discussed in U.S. 2014/0271534, U.S.2014/0274682, U.S. 2014/0274683, and U.S. 2014/0274684, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety. However, it shouldbe understood that the present disclosure is not limited to only thesecompounds or compositions and that any compounds, any products(including commercial products), or compositions known to serve as arepellant, including broad-spectrum insect repellants or selectiveinsect repellants such as selective bee repellants, may be employedaccording to the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, the insect repellant compound is represented by anyone of the following formulae:

In one embodiment, R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from hydrogen,an alkyl, aryl, phenyl, substituted phenyl, fused phenyl, heterocyclicring, aryl alkyl, vinyl, acetyl, vinyl alky, propargyl, and ally groupand R₃ and R₄ are individually selected from H, alkyl, methyl, ethyl,propyl, or butyl. For instance, in another embodiment, R₁ and R₂ areindependently selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl,cyclopropyl, butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl,nonyl, decyl, undecyl and substituted or non-substituted C₂-C₁₄-alkyl,substituted or non-substituted C₂-C₁₄ alkenyl, a substituted ornon-substituted C₂-C₁₄-alkynyl. In another embodiment, an alkyl group isa straight chain, branched, cyclic, cyclic alkyl optionally substitutedwith halogen, such as F, Cl, Br, I, oxygen, hydroxyl, alkoxy, cyano,aryloxy, C═C, C≡C; nitrogen, NH₂, alkyl amino, dialkyl aminetrialkylamino; SH, alkylthio and oxidation states, arylthio andoxidation states; amido, monoalkylamino, dialkylamino, and ureide.

In yet another embodiment, R₁ and R₂ can form a ring, such as acycloalkyl ring, for example, a cyclehexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclopentyl,cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclooctyl, fused alkyl ring, such as camphor.In another embodiment, the R₁ and R₂ ring is a phenyl ring optionallysubstituted with one or more of halogen, OH, alkoxy, cyano, aminoalkylamino, dialkylamino, SH, alkylthio and oxidation states, pheoxy,formyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy,polyhaloalkyl, polyhaloalkoxy, perlialoalkyl, perhaloalkoxy, amido,alkylamino, amino, dialkylarnino, hydroxycarbonyl, alkyl carbonyl, arylcarbonyl, and alkoxycarbonyl groups.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosure provides for one or more of aninsect repellant compound or composition selected from the groupconsisting of pine oil, tea tree oil, essential oil of tea tree,densifolia leaf essential oil, essential oil of ocimum santum, systox,phenol, alkaloids, carum copticum oil, propionic anhydride, butyricanhydride, methyl salicylate, 6-hexatriacontene, stenpcereol,27,28,29-trisnor-13-15-17-meratriene, samaderine E, phenylacetaldehyde,benzaldehyde, Swertia densifolia leaf essential oil, linalool, ambretteseed oil, cascarilla bark oil, leaf oil, cascarilla bark oil, rue oil,rue flower oil, terpineol, stearic acid, hydroquinone and octadecanal,methyl anthranilate, methyl anthranilate, creosote, acetic acid andpropionic acid, N,N-diethyltoluamide, dimethyl phthalate, and isopropylcinnamate. The disclosure also provides for one or more of an insectrepellant compound or composition combinations selected from the groupconsisting of citronella (for example Cymbopogon spp, Cymbopogon nardus,Cymbopogon winterianus and Cymbopogon citratus), eucalyptus (Eucalyptusspp.), lemon eucalyptus (Corymbia citriodora), cinnamon (Cinnamomumverum), castor (Ricinus communis), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis),cedar (Cedrus spp.), peppermint (Mentha piperita), clove (Syzygiumaromaticum), geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), verbena (Verbena spp.,Verbena officinalis), pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), lavender (Lavandulaspp.), pine (Pinus spp.), cajeput (Melaleuca spp.; Melaleucaleucadendra), basil (Ocimum basilicum), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), pandan(Pandanus amaryllifolius), allspice (Pimenta dioica), soybean (Glycinemax), garlic (Allium sativum), DEET, Picaridin, p-Mentane-3,8-diol,Permethrin, Allethrin, Metofluthrin, Geraniol, Eugenol, Cinnamaldehyde,Alkaloids, p-cymene, linalool, α-pinene, β-pinene, sabinene, myrcene,α-phellandrene, α-terpinene, α-terpineol (a component of tea tree oiland pine oil), α-ter, limonene, 1,8-cineole, γ-terpinene, terpinolene,terpinen-4-ol and α-terpineol, copticum, and Ptychotis oil.

In addition to the above, the agrochemical may further include camphoroil, ajowan oil, camphor powder, rosemary powder, rosemary oil, or acombination thereof. In one embodiment, this component may be combinedwith the insect repellant compound.

It should be understood any of the aforementioned insect repellantcompounds and compositions may be used alone or in combination. Forinstance, by employing as a combination, a synergistic effect may berealized for repelling, controlling, and/or directing the insects, suchas bees.

According to one embodiment, it may be desirous to attract a specificobject of interest, such as a bee, to an area of interest. For instance,it may be desirous to attract a specific object of interest away fromthe agricultural area of interest to another area of interest. Forinstance, it may be desirous to attract an object of interest, such as abee, to a beehive. For instance, when the bees are within an area ofinterest upon which it is desired to apply an agrochemical, it may bedesired to apply the attractant compound or composition to another areaof interest, such as a beehive, so that the bees will move and theagrochemical can be applied to the first area of interest.

In this regard, the agrochemical may be an insect attractant compound orcomposition. In general, the insect attractant compound or compositionmay be used to attract some, all, or a broad range of insects, such asbees. In an embodiment, an insect attractant compound or compositiondescribed herein can control or alter the behavior of an insect, forexample a pollinating insect, such as a bee.

Any insect attractant compound or composition as employed in the art maybe utilized according to the present invention. For instance, in oneembodiment, the attractant may be a sugar. In particular, the attractantmay be sucrose, fructose, glucose, etc. In one particular embodiment,the attractant may include sucrose.

It should be understood any of the aforementioned insect attractantcompounds and compositions may be used alone or in combination. Forinstance, by employing as a combination, a synergistic effect may berealized for repelling, controlling, and/or directing the insects, suchas bees.

In one embodiment, an insect repellant compound and an insect attractantcompound may be used in combination. For instance, an insect repellantcompound or composition may be used within an agricultural area ofinterest and an insect attractant compound or composition may be appliedto another area of interest. For instance, if it is desired to apply anagrochemical within an agricultural area of interest and insects, suchas bees, are present within such area, it may be desired to apply arepellant compound or composition to the agricultural area of interestto repel the insects, such as the bees, away from the area and alsoapply an insect attractant compound or composition to another area, suchas an area adjacent or in proximity to the first area or even a beehive,in order to attract the insects, such as the bees, away from the firstarea and to the second area.

In general, the attractant and repellant compounds or compositionsdescribed herein work by, without intending to be limited by theory,influencing or altering the senses of an insect. For instance, thecompound or composition alters the olfactory senses, sight, or otherphysical characteristics or combinations thereof of an insect. Forexample, where one compound or composition is an insect repellant orattractant compound or composition that operates on olfactory sense,another compound or composition may be included or may be appliedbefore, after, or simultaneously with the first compound or composition,that operates on the senses. These may involve compounds or compositionsthat direct or repel or attract the insect based on sight (e.g., color),tactile sensations, taste, or other physical characteristics such assound, vibrations, and combinations of any of the foregoing.

Remote Sensing

In general, remote sensing is the technique of obtaining informationabout an object of interest and/or an area of interest through theanalysis of data collected by certain methods and instruments that arenot in direct physical contact with the object of interest and/or thearea of interest. In particular, the data can be gathered using sensorsor other data collection devices. While the present disclosurereferences various methods of remote sensing, it should be understoodthat any method of remote sensing to obtain information about an objectof interest and/or an area of interest may be employed.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an agriculturalarea of interest may first be identified thereby allowing the dataobtained to be correlated to such area of interest.

The method includes a step of performing a remote sensing survey withinand/or adjacent to an agricultural area of interest. The surveygenerates remotely sensed data. In one embodiment, the remotely senseddata may include information that can be used to identify the object ofinterest. The remotely sensed data may also include information that canbe used to identify the agricultural area of interest. For instance, inone embodiment, the data may provide latitude and longitude coordinatesidentifying the area of interest.

In one embodiment, the generated remotely sensed data can be gatheredand/or transmitted. For instance, in one embodiment, the data can begathered and/or transmitted upon completion of the remote sensingsurvey. In another embodiment, the data can be transmitted in real-timeas it is generated during the remote sensing survey.

The remotely sensed data can be transmitted or sent to a recipient, suchas, but not limited to, a person or object that can receive, analyze,and/or utilize such data. For instance, in one embodiment, the recipientmay be an individual, such as a farmer, a crop manager, or any otherindividual capable of receiving, interpreting, and/or analyzing theremotely sensed data. The recipient may also be an electronic device,such as a database, a server, a computer, a web-based phone, a personaldigital assistant, and/or any other device that is in communication withthe device employed for performing the remote sensing survey.

In addition, the transmission may be conducted via a wirelesscommunication. In this regard, the remotely sensed data can betransmitted without the need for general hardwire connections. Inanother embodiment, the remotely sensed data can be transmitted via awired communication. In another embodiment, the remotely sensed data maybe transmitted via a combination of wired and wireless communications.The methods and equipment (e.g., hardware and software requirements,computer network configurations, database and/or server configurations,etc.) necessary for such wired and/or wireless communications can beemployed as known by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Once transmitted, the remotely sensed data can be processed for analysisin order to obtain the desired information regarding the object ofinterest and/or the agricultural area of interest. If a specific objectis being investigated within or adjacent to the agricultural area ofinterest, the remotely sensed data can be used to determine the activityof the object of interest.

The processing and/or analysis can be performed by the recipient of theremotely sensed data. For instance, in one embodiment, an individual mayinterpret and/or analyze the remotely sensed data generated by theremote sensing survey. In another embodiment, the remotely sensed datamay be analyzed by software based upon any variety of algorithms andsoftware modules.

Thereafter, based on the analysis of such remotely sensed data, arecommendation may be generated. For instance, the remotely sensed datamay be used to determine whether to apply an agrochemical. Thisdetermination may be made based on an insect presence within and/oradjacent to the agricultural area of interest. In particular, theremotely sensed data may be used to determine the time and/or locationfor applying such agrochemical. In this regard, analysis of the remotelysensed data allows for the determination of the ideal time(s) and/orlocation(s) for conducting certain crop management processes andprocedures, such as applying an agrochemical.

As an example, a remote sensing survey may be performed to investigatethe activity of bees, whether located within and/or adjacent to theagricultural area of interest. In addition, the remote sensing surveymay be performed on bees located within a beehive. In this regard, thebeehive may be located within and/or adjacent to the agricultural areaof interest.

The following scenarios provide examples regarding the aforementioneddetermination. If it is determined that the object of interest, such asa bee, is not present within the agricultural area of interest and it isdesired to apply an agrochemical, such as a pesticide or a fertilizer,to such area, in one embodiment, it may be determined that anagrochemical can be applied at that time.

If it is determined that the object of interest, such as a bee, ispresent within the agricultural area of interest during the time ofperforming the remote sensing survey, in one embodiment, it may bedetermined that an agrochemical, such as a pesticide or a fertilizer,should not be applied to that area at that time. In addition, asubsequent survey may be performed to determine whether the objects ofinterest are still present within the area of interest. However, inanother embodiment, it may be determined that an agrochemical, such asan insect repellent compound or composition, can be applied at that timeto the area of interest to repel the insect. Alternatively or inaddition, an insect attractant compound can be applied to another areaof interest, such as a beehive if investigating bees, to attract theinsects away from the first agricultural area of interest.

Similarly, as mentioned above, a remote sensing survey may be performedfor investigating a bee within a beehive wherein the beehive may belocated within or adjacent to the agricultural area of interest.Remotely sensed data, in this instance, can be used to assess theactivity and/or development of the bee colony within the beehive. Forinstance, the data can be used to determine whether bees are present toa certain extent within the beehive or whether they are foraging. If thebees are present within the beehive and it is desired to apply anagrochemical, such as a pesticide or fertilizer, to the area ofinterest, in one embodiment, it can be determined that an agrochemicalmay be applied to the area of interest. Depending on the location, thebeehive may be considered as being adjacent to OF within theagricultural area of interest.

If it is determined that the bees are foraging, it may be determinedthat an agrochemical, such as a pesticide or fertilizer, should not beapplied to the area of interest at that time. In addition, it may bedesired to perform a subsequent remote sensing survey to determinewhether the bees have returned to the beehive and/or whether anagrochemical can be applied to the area of interest. However, in anotherembodiment, it may be determined that an agrochemical, such as an insectrepellent compound or composition, can be applied at that time to thearea of interest to repel the insect. Alternatively or in addition, aninsect attractant compound can be applied to another area of interest,such as a beehive if investigating bees, to attract the insects awayfrom the first agricultural area of interest.

Depending on the analysis of the remotely sensed data and the presenceof the object of interest, various agrochemicals can be applied to thearea of interest. For instance, when the object of interest, such as abee, is present within the agricultural area of interest, it may bedesired to apply an agrochemical, such as an insect repellant, to thearea of interest. Alternatively or in addition, it may be desired toapply an agrochemical, such as an insect attractant, to an area adjacentthe agricultural area of interest. However, when the object of interest,such as a bee, is not present within the agricultural area of interest,it may be desired to apply an agrochemical, such as a pesticide,herbicide, fungicide, etc., to the area of interest. In addition, if itis desired to apply an agrochemical to a certain agricultural area ofinterest and it is determined that bees are present within such area ofinterest, it may be desired to apply an attractant to a secondagricultural area of interest and/or a beehive thereby attracting thebees to such area of interest.

Further, subsequent remote sensing surveys may be performed. Inparticular, a subsequent remote sensing survey may be performed on thesame or different agricultural area of interest wherein remotely senseddata is gathered, transmitted, and/or analyzed and a subsequentdetermination is made regarding the presence of an object of interestand/or the application of an agrochemical to the area of interest.

In general, the agrochemical can be applied while the remote sensingsurvey is being performed and the remotely sensed data is beinganalyzed. As mentioned above, the data can be gathered, transmitted,and/or analyzed. In one embodiment, such steps can be conducted inreal-time. Therefore, the recipient can make a determination inreal-time as to whether to apply an agrochemical and/or what type ofagrochemical should be applied (e.g., pesticide, herbicide, repellant,attractant, etc.). In another embodiment, an agrochemical can be appliedafter the remote sensing survey has been conducted. In an even furtherembodiment, an agrochemical can be applied during the remote sensingsurvey and after the remote sensing survey has been conducted.

The method by which the data is generated, transmitted, processed,and/or analyzed may be dependent upon the method of remote sensingemployed. Although various methods of remote sensing are discussedbelow, any method of remote sensing known in the art can be employed forobtaining information about an object of interest and/or an agriculturalarea of interest can be employed according to the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, the remote sensing method may be conducted byemploying an optical sensor. In general, optical detection of the objectof interest, such as a bee, can be performed using any method generallyknown in the art. For instance, in one embodiment, the optical detectionmay be conducted as disclosed in the article entitled “Optical detectionof honey bees by use of wing-beat modulation of scattered laser lightfor locating explosives and land mines” to Kevin S. Repasky et al. inApplied Optics, Vol. 45, No. 8, pages 1839-1843 as well as in U.S. Pat.No. 7,511,624 to Shaw et al., both of which are herein incorporated byreference in their entirety.

In general, optical detection can be used to detect the wingbeat of aninsect, such as a bee, Different flying insects may have signaturewingbeats in terms of frequency and/or harmonics, which can be used toidentify the specific insect. While some insects may have similarwingbeat profiles, other information may also be used to identify theinsect. For instance, this information may include, but is not limitedto, insect seasonal activity, insect circadian rhythm, insectgeographical distribution, etc.

In one embodiment, one method of optical detection can employ atemporal-frequency sensitive receiver to detect laser light that isscattered by an oscillating object. This method allows for remotelysensing the position and movement of a certain object, such as a bee.While not to be limited by theory, the use of optical detection andfrequency-modulated signals resulting from light scattered from movingwings can allow for the discrimination between the return signal of thebee from that of vegetation and a cluttered background.

In general, a diode laser instrument can be employed for detecting thepresence of an insect, such as a bee. A continuous-wave diode laserprovides an output beam that illuminates a target and an illuminatedbee's wings scatter light back to the instrument. The intensitymodulation results from the wing motion. For instance, an illuminatedbee's wings will scatter light back to the instrument with intensitymodulation resulting from the wing motion.

For detecting and identifying the presence of particular flying insects,such as a bee and in particular a honey bee, the wing-beat frequency ofvarious insects has been studied. In one embodiment, when studying honeybees, the modulated signal will be between 170 and 270 Hz, thecharacteristic wing-beat frequency of honey bees. For instance, thefrequency may be from 180 to 240 Hz, such as from 185 to 230 Hz, such asfrom 190 to 220 Hz. In one embodiment, the frequency may be 200+/−10 Hz,such as 200+/−15 Hz, such as 200+/−30 Hz, such as 200+/−25 Hz. However,it should be understood that the frequency may vary depending on variousfactors such as age, size of the insect, and/or size of the wing of theinsect as well as various environmental factors such as temperature andhumidity.

In one embodiment, the optical sensor may comprise a light detection andranging (lidar) device. The lidar device can include a pulsed lasertransmitter, a receiver telescope, and a detector system. With a lidardevice, a short pulse of laser light is transmitted through the air overan area of interest while some of the light that strikes an object ofinterest, such as a bee. As the pulse propagates, it encountersmolecules, particles, objects, etc. which scatters the light. Some ofthe light is scattered back towards the lidar device and collected bythe telescope collocated with the laser. The time between the outgoinglaser pulse and the return signal can be used to measure the distance ofthe object of interest from the lidar device. This information can beused to produce a map of the location of the objects of interest, suchas bees, and other objects that scatter light.

In some instances, however, it may be difficult to determine thespecific object that caused the light to be scattered back to thereceiver. In these instances, it may be advantageous to use the lidardevice in combination with another remote sensing method in order todetermine the presence of a desired object of interest.

In one embodiment, the optical sensor may comprise an accelerometer. Ingeneral, monitoring communication vibrations of bees can provideinformation regarding bee behavior. The accelerometer may be employed todetect and interpret the movement of bees thereby providing informationregarding the colony behavior and organization. For instance, an opticalsensor, such as an accelerometer, can be used to detect vibrations aswell as the speed and direction of the specific vibration source bytriangulating a specific signal or vibration. It is known that varioustypes of vibrational communications exist (e.g., waggle dance, groomingsignal, stop signal, etc.). The accelerometer may be positioned tocollect information from within the hive or surrounding the hive,depending upon the specific signal or vibration that is being monitored.Monitoring these communications can provide an array of informationregarding the location/position and abundance of a nectar source, forageefficiency, etc.

In one embodiment, the remote sensing method may be conducted byemploying a visual sensor capable of creating images and/or videos ofthe agricultural area of interest. For instance, these sensors mayinclude cameras coupled to a device, such as an earth-orbiting satelliteor an aircraft, such as a drone. These sensors can create and produceinformation, such as images and/or videos, for processing and analysis.For instance, an aircraft can be navigated within and/or adjacent to theagricultural area of interest to obtain an airborne survey.

In one embodiment, the remote sensing method may be conducted byemploying an acoustic sensor. For instance, an acoustic sensor can beemployed to monitor and interpret the sound of a bee colony to assessthe colony behavior, strength, and health. The acoustic monitoring maybe performed as disclosed in GB 2489435, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

In one embodiment, an acoustic sensor may be employed within a beehivein order to obtain information regarding the hive acoustics and hiveactivity. For instance, an audio frequency transducer can generate anaudio frequency signal from detected audio and vibrational activity. Thesignal can then be transformed into frequency representations. Thistransforming step may require a fast Fourier transform. When frequencyrepresentations are obtained on a regular basis, a frequency analysiscan be conducted by comparing measurements to detect the presence of anyunusual frequencies. In this regard, these representations can beprocessed to provide information regarding the colony, such as to detectwhen swarming is about to occur or when the bees are present within thebeehive.

In this regard, these acoustic sensors can provide information regardingthe hive activity and determine whether the bees are foraging. Inaddition, other monitoring devices may be employed within the beehive.These devices can be employed to provide information regarding hivetemperature, brood temperature, humidity, hive weight, hive acoustics(e.g., flight noise, fanning noise, etc.), etc. While any acousticsensor in the art may be employed for detecting hive acoustics, oneexample of a suitable acoustic sensor is that provided by Arnie.

In one embodiment, the remote sensing method may be conducted using atemperature sensor. For instance, temperature sensors can provideinformation regarding a brood nest. In particular, the information canbe utilized for mapping the size and shape of the brood nest. Inparticular, the information can be utilized in developing athree-dimensional brood map. This information may be used to monitor andassess the size of a brood cluster as well as the development of aspecific colony.

It should be understood that any combination of remote sensingtechniques may be employed. For instance, an optical sensor can beemployed to study an agricultural area of interest while an acousticsensor can also be used to study activity within a beehive locatedwithin or adjacent to the agricultural area of interest. In this regard,performing a combination of remote sensing surveys based on variousmethods may provide more accurate results as to the presence of aninsect, such as a bee, within or adjacent to the agricultural area ofinterest.

When employing a sensor within and/or adjacent to a beehive, it may beemployed in a manner that allows for monitoring and/or obtaining thedesired information. In one embodiment, the sensor may be employed togather data pertaining to a beehive, whether a natural or an artificialbeehive. In this regard, the sensor may be employed within or adjacentto such a beehive. In one embodiment, the sensor may be embedded into ahoneycomb. For instance, a temperature probe and/or an accelerometer maybe embedded into a honeycomb. Without being limited by theory, providinga sensor in such a manner may allow for more sensors to be added to ahive. However, it should be understood that the positioning of a sensoris not limited to a honeycomb. As indicated, it may be positioned in anymanner that allows for monitoring and/or obtaining the desiredinformation. Preferably, the sensor is positioned also so as to beminimally intrusive or even non-intrusive.

The present inventors have discovered that the remote sensing methodsdisclosed herein increase the efficiencies of the crop managementprocess. For instance, by obtaining the aforementioned information, themethod can provide timely and accurate data regarding an object ofinterest and/or an agricultural area of interest. This data can then beused to make a determination as to whether to apply an agrochemical tothe area of interest.

Methods of Repelling, Attracting, Controlling, or Directing an Insect

The present disclosure also provides for a method of (i) repelling,controlling, and/or directing an insect utilizing the aforementionedinsect repellant and/or insect attractant compounds and/or compositions.The method may also comprise (i) repelling, controlling, and/ordirecting an insect comprising treating a seed, plant part, or plantwith any of the aforementioned agrochemicals.

In an embodiment, the disclosure provides for a method of selectivelyrepelling, attracting, controlling, or directing a pollinating insect,for example a bee. This may be conducted with an insect repellantcompound or composition or an insect attractant compound or compositionas described herein. Thereafter, another agrochemical may be applied toa particular area of interest as desired.

In another embodiment, a compound or composition described hereinrepels, attracts, controls, or directs on a selective basis. In yetanother embodiment, the insect may be directed by coming into contactwith a compound or composition described herein. In another embodiment,an insect of interest, such as a bee, in a manner such that the insectis not in direct contact with a substance treated with the insectrepellant and/or attractant compound or composition. In anotherembodiment, a compound or composition described herein repels, attracts,controls, or directs an insect of interest, such as a bee, in a mannersuch that the insect has only minimal contact with a treated substance.

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides for a method ofrepelling, attracting, controlling, or directing an insect, for examplea bee, away from a an agrochemical area of interest. In anotherembodiment, the disclosure provides for a method of repelling,controlling, or directing an insect, for example a bee, away from aseed, plant part, or plant or an agrochemical area of interest. Theformer may be conducted using a repellant compound while the latter maybe conducted using an attractant compound.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosure provides for a method ofrepelling, controlling, or directing an insect from an area or substancewhile at the same time attracting an insect to a different area orsubstance. The disclosure provides for a method of treating an area orsubstance with a repelling, controlling, or directing compound orcomposition described herein and at the same or different time treatinga distinct area or substance with an insect attractant compound that isstrategically placed at an optimized distance. In an embodiment, such amethodology can help to increase repelling, controlling, or directingefficacy by repelling an insect from an area to be avoided whileattracting the same insect to an area of interest.

In an embodiment, an insect repellant and/or attractant compound orcomposition described herein repels, attracts, controls, and/or directsan insect of interest such that the insect is not in direct contact witha seed, plant part, plant, area, or other substance treated with acompound or composition described herein.

In another embodiment, an insect repellant compound or compositiondescribed herein repels, controls, or directs an insect of interest suchthat the insect is not in direct contact with a treated substance orarea of interest for at least about 10 minutes, about 30 minutes, about1 hour, about 4 hours, about 8 hours, about 12 hours, about 24 hours,about 2 days, about 3 days, about 7 days, about 14 days, about 21 days,about 1 month, about 2 months, or about 3 months or more.

In yet another embodiment, an insect repellant compound or compositiondescribed herein repels, controls, or directs an insect of interest suchthat the insect is not in direct contact with a treated substance for adesired or designated period of time, for example, a planting or growingseason.

In another embodiment, an insect repellant compound or compositiondescribed herein repels, controls, or directs an insect of interest suchthat the insect is at least about 1 cm, at least about 5 cm, at leastabout 10 cm, at least about 100 cm, at least about 0.2 m, at least about0.5 m, at least about 1 m, at least about 2 m, at least about 5 m, atleast about 10 m, at least about 25 m, at least about 50 m, at leastabout 100 m, at least about 200 m, or at least about 300 m or more awayfrom a seed, plant part, plant, area, or other substance treated with aninsect repellant compound or composition or area of interest treated asdescribed herein.

In another embodiment, an insect repellant compound or compositiondescribed herein repels, controls, or directs an insect of interest suchthat the insect is at least about 1 cm to about 10 cm, about 10 cm toabout 100 cm, about 100 cm to about 500 cm, about 1 m to about 5 m,about 5 m to about 10 m, about 10 m to about 50 m, about 50 m to about100 m, about 100 m to about 250 m, and about 250 m to about 500 m ormore away from a seed, plant part, plant, area, or other substancetreated with a compound or composition or area of interested treated asdescribed herein.

In another embodiment, an insect repellant compound or compositiondescribed herein controls or directs an insect of interest, such as abee, for at least about 10 minutes, about 30 minutes, about 1 hour,about 4 hours, about 8 hours, about 12 hours, about 24 hours, about 2days, about 3 days, about 7 days, about 14 days, about 21 days, about 1month, about 2 months, about 3 months or more, or designated planting orgrowing season.

In another embodiment, one or more insect repellant compounds orcompositions can be added in a manner that modifies or increasesrepellency. A compound or composition described herein can also beformulated in a delayed release formulation or controlled releaseformulation which can delay or control the release of the repellingcompound or composition. In another embodiment, a compound orcomposition described herein can also be formulated in a rapid releaseformulation which can expedite the release of the insect repellantcompound or composition.

In another embodiment, one or more insect attractant compounds orcompositions can be added in a manner that modifies or increasesattractancy. A compound or composition described herein can also beformulated in a delayed release formulation or controlled releaseformulation which can delay or control the release of the attractingcompound or composition. In another embodiment, a compound orcomposition described herein can also be formulated in a rapid releaseformulation which can expedite the release of the insect attractantcompound or composition.

In an embodiment, a method of “repelling” refers to the ability of acompound or composition described herein to influence or alter thebehavior of an insect, for example, a bee, away from an area, location,structure, seed, plant, plant part, or substance of interest. In orderto be classified as “repelling” according to an embodiment of thedisclosure, it is not necessary that 100% of the insects, such aspollinating insects, be directed away from an area, location, structure,seed, plant, or substance of interest. In yet another embodiment, aninsect is “repelled” if at least 50%, at least 75%, at least 90%, atleast 95%, or at least 98% of the insects are directed away from anarea, location, structure, seed, plant, plant part, or substance ofinterest.

In an embodiment, a method of “attracting” refers to the ability of acompound or composition described herein to influence or alter thebehavior of an insect, for example, a bee, away from an area, location,structure, seed, plant, plant part, or substance of interest and toanother area, location, structure, seed, plant, plant part, or substanceof interest. In order to be classified as “attracting” according to anembodiment of the disclosure, it is not necessary that 100% of theinsects, such as pollinating insects, be directed away from an area,location, structure, seed, plant, or substance of interest and toanother area, location, structure, or substance of interest. In yetanother embodiment, an insect is “attracted” if at least 50%, at least75%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98% of the insects aredirected away from an area, location, structure, seed, plant, plantpart, or substance of interest and to another area, location, structure,or substance of interest.

In another embodiment, a method of “directing” refers to the ability ofa compound or composition described herein to influence the behavior ormovement of an insect, for example a bee, in a given direction. In orderto be classified as “directing” according to an embodiment of thedisclosure, it is not necessary that 100% of the insects, pests, orother animals be directed away from an area, location, structure, seed,plant, plant part, or substance of interest. In yet another embodiment,an insect is “directed away” if at least 50%, at least 75%, at least90%, at least 95%, or at least 98% of the insects are directed away froman area, location, structure, seed, plant, or substance of interest.

In an embodiment, a method of “controlling” refers to the ability of acompound or composition described herein to control or alter thebehavior of an insect, for example a bee. In order to be classified as“controlling” according to an embodiment of the disclosure, it is notnecessary that 100% of the insects, pests, or other animals becontrolled away from an area, location, structure, seed, plant, plantpart, or substance of interest. In yet another embodiment, an insect is“controlled” if at least 50%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least98% of the insect behavior is altered or controlled relative to an area,location, structure, seed, plant, plant part, or substance of interest.

Application of Agrochemical

In an embodiment, the agrochemical can be applied in a in a singleapplication step. In another embodiment, the agrochemical can be appliedin multiple application steps, for example, two, three, four, five ormore application steps. In another embodiment, the second, third,fourth, or fifth or more application steps may be with the same ordifferent agrochemicals. The methods described herein also provide foran embodiment where multiple application steps are excluded.

In one embodiment, the agrochemical is applied to an agricultural areaof interest and in particular can be applied to a plant, crop, seed, orplant part thereof at the time of planting to about 30 minutes, about 30minutes to about 1 hour, about 1 hour to about 4 hours, about 4 hours toabout 12 hours, about 1 hour to about 1 day, about 1 day to about 5days, about 5 days to about 10 days, about 10 days to about 20 days,about 15 days to about 30 days, about 30 to about 100 days, or anycombination thereof. In yet another embodiment, an agrochemical asdescribed herein is applied to an area of interest and in particular canbe applied to a plant, crop, seed, or plant part thereof in one or moreapplication intervals of about 30 minutes, about 1 hour, about 2 hours,about 6 hours, about 8 hours, about 12 hours, about 1 day, about 5 days,about 7 days, about 10 days, about 12 days, about 14 days, about 21days, or about 28 days.

In one embodiment, the agrochemicals can be applied one or more timesduring a growing, planting, or harvesting season. In another embodiment,the agrochemical can be applied one, two, three, four, or five or moretimes during a growing, planting, or harvesting season. In anotherembodiment, an agrochemical described herein is applied only one time,no more than two times, or no more than three times during a growing,planting, or harvesting season.

In yet another embodiment, an agrochemical is applied prior to planting,at planting, after planting or combinations thereof. In anotherembodiment, an agrochemical is applied prior to or during the periodwhen an insect described herein is likely to be foraging or harvestingnectar or pollen from a flower or plant.

In an embodiment, an agrochemical may be applied to a seed during theplanting process. In yet another embodiment, an agrochemical is appliedin an in furrow process. In another embodiment, an agrochemical asdescribed herein can be applied during bloom, for example, in orchards.In an embodiment, the agrochemical may be applied to any combinationthereof.

In another embodiment, an agrochemical as described herein is applied inan application regimen at about 1 hour to about 3 hours after the firstapplication and followed by a second application at about 3 hours toabout 6 hours; at about 1 hour to about 3 hours after the firstapplication and followed by a second, third, or fourth application atabout 12 hours to about 24 hours about 1 to about 7 days after the firstapplication and followed by a second application at about 10 to about 14days. In yet another embodiment, an agrochemical as described herein isapplied to a seed prior to planting and a foliar application is made atabout 1 day to about 5 days, about 5 days to about 10 days, about 10days to about 20 days, about 20 days to about 50 days, about 40 days toabout 60 days, or about 20 days, about 30 days, about 40 days, about 45days, about 50 days, or any combination thereof, after planting.

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides for pre-plant,pre-emergent, post-emergent, application steps or combinations thereof.In another embodiment, an agrochemical as described herein is firstapplied in a pre-plant step and followed by one or more pre-emergent orpost-emergent steps. In yet another embodiment, the disclosure providesfor only a pre-plant step.

In another embodiment, an agrochemical as described herein is appliedduring the daytime hours. In another embodiment an agrochemical asdescribed herein is not applied to a structure plant, crop, seed, orplant part thereof at night. In yet another embodiment, the applicationof an agrochemical as described herein is optimized based on when aninsect, for example a bee, would most likely forage on a plant or crop.In another embodiment, an agrochemical as described herein can beapplied during non-planting timing.

As used herein, plant parts should be understood as meaning all aboveground and subsoil parts and organs of plants, such as shoot, leaf,flower, root, leaves, needles, stalks, stems, fruiting bodies, fruitsand seeds, tubers and rhizomes. Plant parts also include harvestedcrops, and also vegetative and generative propagation material, forexample cuttings, tubers, rhizomes, slips and seeds.

Seeds, plant parts, and plants may be treated with the describedagrochemicals by applying directly to the seed, plant part, or plant. Inanother embodiment, the seed, plant part, or plant may be treatedindirectly, for example by treating the environment or habitat in whichthe seed, plant part, or plant is exposed to. Conventional treatmentmethods may be used to treat the environment or habitat includingdipping, spraying, fumigating, chemigating, fogging, scattering,brushing on, shanking or injecting.

In an embodiment, an insect repellant and/or attractant compound orcomposition described herein is capable of repelling, attracting,controlling, and/or directing an insect, for example a bee, describedherein for at least about 30 minutes, about 1 hour, about 2 hours, about3 hours, about 4 hours, about 5 hours, about 8 hours, about 10 hours,about 15 hours, about 20 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, 7 days,two weeks, one month, two months, three months or more. In anembodiment, an insect repellant and/or attractant compound orcomposition disclosed herein may reduce (if repelling) or increase (ifattracting) insect interaction with a mammal, pest, predator, plant,structure, and/or location for the aforementioned time periods or agrowing, planting, or harvesting season.

In another embodiment, an insect repellant and/or attractant compound orcomposition described herein is capable of repelling, attracting,controlling, and/or directing an insect during a complete or partialgrowing, planting, or harvesting season.

In yet another embodiment, an insect repellant and/or attractantcompound or composition described herein repels, attracts, controls,and/or directs an insect in an amount of at least 10%, such as at least20%, such as at least 30%, such as at least 40%, such as at least 50%,such as at least 60%, such as at least 70%, such as at least 80% to lessthan or equal to 100%, such as less than or equal to 90%, such as lessthan or equal to 80%, such as less than or equal to 70%, relative to acompound or composition that does not contain an effective amount ofsuch compound or composition as described herein.

Insects to Repel, Control, or Direct

In another embodiment, a compound or composition described hereinselectively repels, attracts, directs, controls, and/or alters thebehavior of one type or subset of insects, for example a bee, while notaffecting other insects. For instance, in one embodiment, a repelling,attracting, controlling, and/or directing compound or composition isassociated with an insecticidal composition, for example, by acombination of the repelling, attracting, controlling, and/or directingcompound or composition together with an insecticidal composition. Inanother embodiment, a repelling, attracting, controlling, and/ordirecting compound or composition is sequentially applied at the sametime, prior to, or after an insecticidal composition to, for example, anarea, seed, plant part, or plant.

As a non-limiting example, (1) 2-decanone as the insect repellantcompound is used to treat a field or yard, (2) clothianidin as theinsecticidal compound, and (3) sucrose as the attractant compound orcomposition are used to treat a field or yard. As an example, all or afirst portion of a field or yard is treated with (1) 2-decanone and (2)clothianidin, while the remaining section of the field or yard or asecond or more portion of a field or yard is treated with an attractantcompound or composition, such as (3) sucrose. Under such a scenario, aninsect that is targeted for repelling, controlling, or directing, suchas a honey bee, would be selectively repelled, controlled, or directedby the repelling, controlling, or directing compound, in this case the(1) 2-decanone and (2) clothianidin composition/combination, while beingsimultaneously attracted or drawn to the attractant compound orcomposition, in this case (3) sucrose. Such a procedure would allow forthe selective repulsion or control of an insect of interest, for examplea honey bee, while at the same time allowing for the insecticide, inthis case clothianidin, to treat any unwanted insects or pests. As such,the honey bee would be selectively repelled, controlled, or directedaway from the (1) 2-decanone and (2) clothianidincomposition/combination, drawn to the (3) sucrose, while the infestationof any remaining insects or pests is addressed.

As another non-limiting example, compounds, compositions, and methodsdescribed herein can be utilized in the following scenario.

For example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, a vacuumplanter is used to plant corn seed in a large field in a typical farmingoperation. The corn seed is genetically modified to tolerate aglufosinate-based herbicide, and the corn seed is coated with aclothanidin/Bacillus firmus seed treatment (e.g. the PONCHO/VOTIVO seedtreatment available from Bayer CropScience LP.) A lubricant and aninsect controlling, directing and repelling composition of the FormulasI-IX, (for example 2 decanone in particular), that selectively repelshoney bees is provided in a powder form as a separate composition to beincorporated, e.g., via scooping it into the seed hopper. In an optionalembodiment of the present invention, the corn seeds are also coated withan insect controlling, directing and repelling compound at or about thetime they are treated with the PONCHO/VOTIVO seed treatment. Also, in anoptional embodiment of the present invention, the exhaust mechanism ofthe vacuum planter is fitted with a mechanism that allows for dispersionof the insect controlling, directing and repelling composition into thevacuum planter's exhaust at a variable rate that is selectable by theoperator of the vacuum planter. Also, optionally in this embodiment ofthe present invention, an adjoining field containing wild flowers istreated with an attractant that operates to attract honey bees to theadjoining field.

When these embodiments of the disclosure are employed, including thosethat are optional, several benefits are apparent. As a starting point,dusting is reduced or eliminated with the lubricant. To the extent anydusting is not eliminated and develops from the corn seeds abradingagainst each other during planting, with the repellent compositionpresent on the seeds, it will be abraded to and will be included in anydust that is formed and exhausted from the planter. And should morerepellent composition be required or desired, the operator of theplanter will selectively introduce additional repellent composition intothe exhaust stream when and where it is needed.

The result is that honey bees are selectively repelled from the fieldwhere planting occurs, and are simultaneously drawn by the attractant tothe neighboring field containing the wild flowers. Because the repellantcomposition is selective for honey bees, the PONCHO/VOTIVO seedtreatment, as just one example of a seed treatment, remains effective tocontrol other insects in the manner described on its label instructions.

Compositions

In an embodiment, the amount of an insect repellant and/or attractantcompound or composition described herein can be an amount that iseffective (“effective amount”) to repel, attract, control, and/or directthe movement of an insect of interest. In another embodiment, the amountof a pesticidal compound or composition or fertilizer can be an amountthat is effective to protect seeds, plant parts, or plants againstinfestation and provide adequate nutrients for growth, respectively.

In an embodiment, the percent of the repellant and/or attractantcompound on any composition or formulation is determined by theinterplay of the effectiveness in the compound, the medium or othercomponents in which the compound is carried, the methods of applicationand the area that is being treated, when in terms of surface area orvolume. For example, where the surface is a flat plate or wall, surfacearea may be used, and where the area is a room or other space, volumemay be used to determine rates of applications.

In another embodiment, an agrochemical composition comprises an insectrepellant or insect attractant compound or composition in at least about0.01%, at least about 0.025%, at least about 0.05%, at least about 0.1%,at least about 0.25%, at least about 0.5%, at least about 1%, at leastabout 2% at least about 2.5%, at least about 5%, at least about 7.5%, atleast about 10%, at least about 25%, or at least about 50%, by weight ofa composition. In yet another embodiment, an agrochemical compositioncomprises an insect repellant or insect attractant compound orcomposition no more than about 0.01%, no more than about 0.025%, no morethan about 0.05%, no more than about 0.1%, no more than about 0.25%, nomore than about 0.5%, no more than about 1%, no more than about 2.0%, nomore than about 2.5%, no more than about 5%, no more than about 7.5%, nomore than about 10%, no more than about 25%, no more than about 50%, byweight of a composition.

In another embodiment, an agrochemical composition comprises an insectrepellant or insect attractant compound or composition at 0.001% toabout 0.1%, about 0.025%, about 0.0025% to about 0.25%, about 0.1% toabout 1%, about 0.1% to about 2.5%, about 0.5% to about 2.5%, about 1%to about 2%, about 1% to about 3%, about 1% to about 5%, about 1% toabout 10%, about 2% to about 10%, about 5% to about 10%, about 5% toabout 20%, about 10% to about 25%, about 10% to about 50%, about 25% toabout 50%, or about 20% to about 80%, and about 95% or more by weight ofa composition.

In another embodiment an agrochemical composition described hereincomprises a pesticidal compound in at least about 0.01%, at least about0.025%, at least about 0.05%, at least about 0.1%, at least about 0.25%,at least about 0.5%, at least about 1%, at least about 2% at least about2.5%, at least about 5%, at least about 7.5%, at least about 10%, atleast about 25%, at least about 40% or at least about 50%, by weight ofa composition.

In yet another embodiment, an agrochemical composition described hereincomprises a pesticidal compound or composition with insecticidal and/ornematicidal properties described herein at 0.001% to about 0.1%, about0.025%, about 0.0025% to about 0.25%, about 0.1% to about 1%, about 0.1%to about 2.5%, about 0.5% to about 2.5%, about 1% to about 2%, about 1%to about 3%, about 1% to about 5%, about 1% to about 10%, about 2% toabout 10%, about 5% to about 10%, about 5% to about 20%, about 10% toabout 25%, about 10% to about 50%, about 25% to about 50%, or about 20%to about 80%, and about 95% or more by weight of a composition.

It should be understood that the use of any pesticides as disclosedherein should be in accordance with any guidelines and instructions asprovided on the approved labels.

In an embodiment, an agrochemical compound or composition describedherein is formulated as a foliar composition, a foliar spray, solution,emulsion, coating formulation, non-pesticidal or pesticidal coatingformulation, encapsulated formulation, solid, liquid, fertilizer, paste,granule, powder, suspension, or suspension concentrate. In anotherembodiment, an agrochemical compound or composition described herein maybe employed alone or in solid, dispersant, or liquid formulation. In yetanother embodiment, an agrochemical compound or composition describedherein is formulated as a tank-mix product.

In another embodiment, an agrochemical compound or composition describedherein can take any of a variety of dosage forms including, withoutlimitation, suspension concentrates, aerosols, capsule suspensions,cold-fogging concentrates, warm-fogging concentrates, encapsulatedgranules, fine granules, flowable concentrates for the treatment ofseed, ready-to-use solutions, dustable powders, emulsifiableconcentrates, oil-in-water emulsions, water-in-oil emulsions,macrogranules, microgranules, oil-dispersible powders, oil-miscibleflowable concentrates, oil-miscible liquids, foams, pastes,pesticide-coated seed, suspoemulsion concentrates, soluble concentrates,wettable powders, soluble powders, dusts and granules, water-solublegranules or tablets, water-soluble powders for the treatment of seed,wettable powders, natural products and synthetic substances impregnatedwith a compound or composition described herein, a net impregnated witha compound or composition described herein, and also microencapsulationsin polymeric substances and in coating materials for seed, and also ULVcold-fogging and warm-fogging formulations. In another embodiment, aseed is coated, encapsulated or otherwise covered with one or morerepelling, controlling, or directing compounds or compositions describedherein.

In an embodiment, when applying the agrochemical, other additionalcomponents may be employed that provide an additional beneficial orotherwise useful effect. Such components include, without limitation, anadhesive, a surfactant, a solvent, a wetting agent, an emulsifyingagent, a carrier, an adjuvant, a diluent, a dispersing agent, or anycombination thereof. However, it should be understood that othercomponents may also be employed.

In another embodiment, a compound or composition described herein can beformulated in a controlled-release, extended-release, rapid-releaseformulation or combinations thereof. In another embodiment, a compoundor composition described herein can be formulated in a multi-coating ormulti-layer formulation. The disclosure also provides for a formulationdesigned to release a compound or composition disclosed herein over aperiod of about 5 minutes, about 15 minutes, about 30 minutes, about 1hour, about 2 hours, about 6 hours, about 12 hours, about 24 hours,about 3 days, about 5 days, about 7 days, about 15 days, about 30 days,about 45 days, about 60 days, about 75 days, or about 90 days in singleor multiple release time points.

In an embodiment, a rapid-release layer or coating releases a compoundimmediately, after about 1 minute, after about 5 minutes, after about 15minutes, after about 30 minutes, after about 1 hour, or after about 2hours. In another embodiment, a controlled release layer or coatingreleases a compound after about 3 hours, after about 6 hours, afterabout 12 hours, or after about 18 hours. In another embodiment, anextended release or delayed-release layer or coating releases a compoundafter about 1 day, after about 2 days, after about 3 days, after about 7days, or after about 14 days or more.

In another embodiment, an insect repellant compound or compositiondisclosed herein can be incorporated into a controlled-release devicewhich dispenses a repelling, controlling, or directing compound and/orother beneficial compound over time in a regulated or predictablemanner. A controlled-release device disclosed herein may be employed byitself or incorporated into another device used to house thecontrolled-release device.

These and other modifications and variations to the present inventionmay be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which ismore particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, itshould be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may beinterchanged both in whole or in part.

Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that theforegoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended tolimit the invention so further described in such appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for applying an agrochemical to anagricultural area of interest, the method comprising performing a remotesensing survey within or adjacent to an agricultural area of interestwherein the remote sensing survey generates remotely sensed data;analyzing the remotely sensed data to determine whether to apply anagrochemical based on presence of an insect or animal within or adjacentto the agricultural area of interest; and applying the agrochemical inthe area adjacent to the agricultural area of interest, wherein theagrochemical comprises an attractant compound or composition.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the insect comprises a bee and wherein thestep of analyzing the remotely sensed data is conducted to determinewhether the bees are foraging the agricultural area of interest, andwherein a determination to apply the agrochemical is based on thedetermination that the bees are foraging the agricultural area ofinterest.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the insect comprises a bee,wherein the remote sensing survey is performed on bees in a beehivelocated within or adjacent to the agricultural area of interest, andwherein a determination to apply the agrochemical is based on the remotesensing survey performed on the bees in the beehive.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the step of performing a remote sensing survey isconducted with an optical sensor.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein theoptical sensor detects a wingbeat, and wherein a determination to applythe agrochemical is based on the detected wingbeat.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the step of performing a remote sensing survey isconducted with an acoustic sensor.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein theacoustic sensor detects hive acoustics, and wherein a determination toapply the agrochemical is based on the detected hive acoustics.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the step of performing a remote sensingsurvey is conducted with a visual sensor.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein the step of performing a remote sensing survey is conducted witha temperature sensor.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein theagrochemical comprises an herbicide, an insecticide, a fungicide, amiticide, a nematicide, or any combination thereof.
 11. A remote sensingsystem comprising: a remote sensing device configured to generateremotely sensed data as part of a remote sensing survey within oradjacent to an agricultural area of interest; and a processor configuredto: analyze the remotely sensed data to determine whether to apply anagrochemical based on presence of an insect or animal within or adjacentto the agricultural area of interest; and apply the agrochemical in thearea adjacent to the agricultural area of interest, wherein theagrochemical comprises an attractant compound or composition.
 12. Theremote sensing system of claim 11, wherein the remote sensing devicecomprises an optical sensor.
 13. The remote sensing system of claim 11,wherein the remote sensing device comprises an acoustic sensor.
 14. Theremote sensing system of claim 11, wherein the remote sensing devicecomprises a visual sensor.
 15. The remote sensing system of claim 11,wherein the remote sensing device comprises a temperature sensor.